THE EARLY DAYS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 

 COLORADO 



By James F. Willard 



The University of Colorado, situated at Boulder, owes its origin 

 to an act of the first territorial legislature of Colorado. On October 

 26, 1861, Mr. Wilhite introduced into the legislature a bill for an act 

 to establish the University of Colorado in the city of Denver. 1 The 

 bill was referred to the committee of the whole which struck out the 

 words "city of Denver" and the first fist of incorporators. 3 On 

 October 31 the measure was again taken up and a vote taken upon the 

 location of the university. 3 It took but three roll-calls to settle this 

 question, Boulder finally receiving eight votes and becoming the site 

 chosen. 4 Immediately nominations were made for the members of 

 the board of trustees. This task did not receive the serious considera- 

 tion that it deserved from the members of the House, some even 

 taking it in a jesting mood. Jerome B. Chaffee, for example, nomi- 

 nated General Lewis Cass and Jefferson Davis. When the House pro- 

 ceeded to vote on the nominations it put all on the list, facetious and 

 otherwise, 5 and the bill then passed by a vote of 7 to 6. 6 The Council 

 took up the proposed act on November 1 and referred it to the Com- 

 mittee on Education. 7 It was amended on November 6 by striking 

 out a number of the names of the incorporators and by adding the 

 names of T. J. Jones and M. Goss. 8 The bill as amended passed the 

 Council on the same afternoon; 9 these amendments were agreed to by 



1 Bouse Journal, ist session, p. 254. This was House Bill No. 150. The story told in the History of 

 Clear Creek and Boulder Valleys (Baskin & Co.), p. 407, of the introduction of the bill by Charles F. Holly of 

 Gold Hill seems to have no basis in fact. 



■ Ibid., p. 281. J Ibid., p. 2g8. 



* The following cities were voted for on the first roll-call: Georgia Gulch, Silver City, Golden City, 

 Denver, Mill City, Bradford, Platte City, McNulty, Pueblo, Conejos, Boulder. 



s House Journal, ist session, p. 303. * Ibid., p. 304. 



I Council Journal, rst session, pp. 144, 151. 



8 Ibid., p. 176. The names struck out were Lewis Cass. D. M. Vance, Jeff. Davis, F. J. Stanton, M. 

 Riddlebarger, Wm. N. Byers, O. A. Whittemore, Thomas Gibson, C. C. Carpenter, Mr. Partridge, John 

 Howard. 



• Ibid., p. 182. 



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